Clarion Establishes New Silicon Valley Office to Strengthen Ties with Software and App Development Community

May 28, 2013

New In-Vehicle Connectivity Products and Services to Benefit from Silicon Valley Resources and Innovations

Cypress, CA – (May 29, 2013) – Clarion Corporation of America, a leader in consumer and commercial mobile electronics, announced today the establishment of a Silicon Valley office to cater to the growing software and app development needs associated with its cloud-connected in-vehicle multimedia and infotainment products and services.

With the continued popularity and growth of smartphones and tablets fueling software and app intensive business opportunities and innovations, Clarion is determined to take advantage of talents, creativity and resources available in the Silicon Valley area. The office will also facilitate Clarion’s engineering and product marketing teams to work closer with the company’s software and app developers, as well as Clarion’s strategic partners including Google with which Clarion recently announced a multi-year agreement.

“In the past year, we have witnessed a rapidly growing move towards cloud-connected infotainment systems for in-vehicle applications,” stated Paul Lachner, President of Clarion Corporation of America. “While we are excited about Clarion’s exclusive Smart Access being the first successful cloud-based in-vehicle system designed specifically for app-driven OEM and aftermarket applications, we believe the industry is just beginning to realize the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating and operating cloud-connected devices inside the vehicle. Given that, it is of great strategic and tactical importance to Clarion to rely on a dedicated team that lives and works at the epicenter of innovation when it comes to apps and software development.”

About Clarion:

Clarion Corporation of America, headquartered in Cypress, California, is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Clarion Co. Ltd., headquartered in Saitama, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2007 and an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company is involved in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, communication and safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments. Clarion has been the recipient of numerous awards for design innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations and customers alike. The company has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the web at www.clarion.com.